Seychelles, Indian Sea , Africa

Introduction

Seychelles, officially the Republic of Seychelle is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean. The 115-island country, whose capital is Victoria, lies 1,500 kilometres (932 mi) east of mainland Southeast Africa.

Holidays in the Seychelles

Seychelles stands as a great destination on its own, or as an excellent place to combine with a safari on mainland Africa. As Expert Africa started offering Seychelles holidays in 2008, we've selected some of the most beautiful islands for our travellers (click for a map of the Seychelles).

Mahé Island

Mahe is the largest island of the Seychelles archipelago, and home to about 80.000 people and the quaint capital city Victoria.

La Digue is hard to beat when it comes to a laid-back beachside holiday. Its traditional Creole community enjoys a particularly unhurried way of life, using colourful oxcarts as means of transport, and the island's small guest houses are very friendly. Here, activities revolve around simple pleasures, including bicycle excursions, or beachcombing at one of the Seychelles' most striking beaches – Anse Source d'Argent. (Read more about La Digue Island, and our holidays to La Digue Island.)

Bird Island

60 miles from Mahe, this small tropical paradise is the northernmost island of the Seychelles archipelago, and home to an unbelievable number of birds. They are all over the place, guaranteeing an extraordinary wildlife experience year round! Whilst enjoying the company of fairy terns and lesser noddies, you'll stay at the family-friendly Bird Island Lodge, with easy access to beautiful beaches. (Read more about Bird Island and Bird Island Lodge, and see examples of our holidays to Bird Island.)

Denis Island

Set on the edge of the Seychelles Bank, Denis Island is the perfect getaway for those seeking sunshine, stunning beaches, tropical waters and privacy. Its interior is crowded with takamaka, coconut palms and casuarinas trees which hide spacious, comfortable cottages, whilst the surrounding sea is sparkling blue and busting with all kinds of colourful fish. (Read more about Denis Island and Denis Island Lodge, and also see examples of our holidays to Denis Island.)

Desroches Island

Desroches is the most distant of all Seychelles islands featured in our programme. It lies 230km west of Mahe, and is part of a group of atolls called the Amirante Islands. Its interior is beautifully lush, 14km of white sandy beach invite you to relax and unwind, and the island's smart, colonial-style resort stands for exclusivity and isolation at the same time – it's perfect for a romantic honeymoon! (Read more about Desroches Island and Desroches Island Resort, and also see examples of our holidays to Desroches Island.)

Frégate Island

Just four degrees south of the Equator, this startling private island stands out for its natural beauty; the topographical mix of granite peaks, lush banyan tree forest and seven dazzling beaches is amazing – as is the sight of rare Seychelles magpie robin! The 16 very luxurious, colonial-style bungalows on Fregate all have spectacular ocean views, and first-class service is taken very seriously. (Read more about Fregate Island and about Fregate Island Villas, or see our examples of costed holidays to Fregate Island.)

North Island

Larger than Monte Carlo, and holding the same stylish appeal, North Island is the ultimate Seychelles holiday destination; it is simply sensational! Since opening in 2003, the media, design-conscious celebrities and affluent travellers from all over the globe, have vied to holiday here in one of its 11 hand-crafted guest villas. And yet, in spite of its success, it remains a blissfully understated affair: sanctuary, not stardom, sets the tone. (Read more about North Island and about the North Island Villas, and see costed examples of our holidays to North Island.)

Things To Do

Sailing, diving, fishing and relaxing are the main activities for visitors to the 155 islands of this Indian Ocean archipelago. Mahé, Praslin and La Digue are the most popular islands. Mahé boasts 65 silver beaches, plus an array of restaurants, cafés, bars and casinos in the tiny capital, Victoria. The Seychelles are home to UNESCO-designated sites, coral atoll Aldabra and Vallée de Mai, called the Garden of Eden. Creole is the main language, but English and French are widely spoken.